Six Nations 2014: Updated Table, Fixtures and Predictions After Week 2

Week 2 of this year's Six Nations was a dramatic one for transformation in the competition, with Ireland's win over Wales having a huge impact on the standings.

France also maintained their 100 percent start to the tournament, while England bounced back from defeat in Paris to stage a confidence boosting win over the Scottish.

Position	Country	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points Difference	Tries	Table Points
1	Ireland	2	2	0	0	+45	5	4
2	France	2	2	0	0	+22	6	4
3	England	2	1	0	1	+18	4	2
4	Wales	2	1	0	1	−15	2	2
5	Italy	2	0	0	2	−28	3	0
6	Scotland	2	0	0	2	−42	0	0

This weekend sees Europe's giants break before resuming the action in Week 3, with a full schedule of fixtures and predictions detailed up ahead. 

Date	Time	Fixture	Venue	Prediction
Friday, Feb. 21	8 p.m. GMT/3 p.m. ET	Wales vs. France	Millennium Stadium	Wales by 4
Saturday, Feb. 22	1:30 p.m. GMT/8:30 a.m. ET	Italy vs. Scotland	Stadio Olimpico	Italy by 7
Saturday, Feb. 22	4 p.m. GMT/11 a.m. ET	England vs. Ireland	Twickenham	Ireland by 6
Saturday, Mar. 8	2:30 p.m. GMT/9:30 a.m. ET	Ireland vs. Italy	Aviva Stadium	Ireland by 10
Saturday, Mar. 8	5 p.m. GMT/12 p.m. ET	Scotland vs. France	Murrayfield	France by 10
Sunday, Mar. 9	3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET	England vs. Wales	Twickenham	Wales by 1
Saturday, Mar. 15	12 p.m. GMT/7 a.m. ET	Italy vs. England	Stadio Olimpico	England by 6
Saturday, Mar. 15	2:45 p.m. GMT/9:45 a.m. ET	Wales vs. Scotland	Millennium Stadium	Wales by 18
Saturday, Mar. 15	5 p.m. GMT/12 p.m. ET	France vs. Ireland	Stade de France	Ireland by 4

Week 3 Fixtures and Predictions

Wales vs. France

Having suffered defeat at the Aviva Stadium over the weekend, one more loss would effectively rule out Wales' chances of becoming the first team ever to clinch a third successive Six Nations title.

And that crossroads is only dramatised further by the fact that it's France, one of the two teams in the competition yet to taste defeat and currently vying for top spot, who visit the Millennium Stadium.

Warren Gatland's tactics will need a significant recollection following on from the 26-3 drubbing at the hands of Joe Schmidt's men, but Italy showed in the first half last weekend that France can be slowed and forced into their mistakes.

Wales' hopes of spoiling Les Bleus' parade are far from impossible, but it will require a tremendous response from their Dublin loss, which is bound to be boosted by their Cardiff surroundings.

Prediction: Wales win by four

Italy vs. Scotland

Italy's own profligacy ended up being their downfall in Paris, with several kicking attempts wasted and sloppy mistakes in possession giving some opportunities to their premature endings.

As a result, France took their chances with both hands, and a 21-point haul in the first 12 minutes of the second half was enough to put the result beyond any shade of doubt.

The Azzurri are ever regarded as being a more dangerous being when playing in Rome, and that advantage should be enough to see Jacques Brunel's side make their way past a Scotland team that have scored just six points in two matches.

Prediction: Italy win by seven

England vs. Ireland

Another fixture that's likely to have great impact on who eventually lifts the silverware come competition's end, Ireland's place at the top of the Six Nations standings faces a massive threat next weekend.

England may have been shown up at the Stade de France in Week 1, but the matchup was decided by the slimmest of margins and home advantage will be at their backs this time around.

Just as they did against Wales, Schmidt's men may opt to grind out a defensively robust, frustrating game at Twickenham, with France remaining as the only substantial threat if they manage to come away from London with points in hand.

Prediction: Ireland win by six